Closed top garbage bag and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A garbage bag has a bag having an open top area. A plurality of ring members is formed in an interior of the bag.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to a garbage bag, and more particularly, to a garbage bag having a closable top cover to seal the contents within the garbage bag to prevent odors from emanating out of the garbage bag and to also protect products inside the garbage bag from the elements such as rain, snow, sun, etc. The garbage bag may further prevent water from collecting inside the garbage bag thereby preventing mosquitoes from breeding. The garbage bag may also be used in the health care industry to provide a more hygienic and healthier work area.

Garbage bags are commonly used for collection and removal of household waste. Garbage bags are typically formed from two panels of thermoplastic materials. The two panels may be sealed along opposing vertical sides. A horizontal seal may be formed along a bottom section of the panels. The top side of the panels is left unsealed and provides an opening or mouth (hereinafter opening) for access to the interior of the garbage bag. In use, the garbage bag may be inserted as an interior section of a container or receptacle. The edges of the opening of the garbage bag may then be loosely laid over the top end of the receptacle to provide an unobstructed opening for inserting trash into the mouth of the garbage bag.

Most garbage bags typically have a bag closure system. In a typical bag closure system, the area below the mouth of the garbage bag is gathered together. This area may then be tied into a knot to secure its contents. Alternatively, a tying device may be used to secure the area below the mouth of the garbage bag in order to prevent the garbage bag from reopening. Typical tying devices may be formed of paper coated flexible wires or a plastic strip with a self-adjusting locking mechanism.

An alternative to the above is to have a closure system integral to the overall bag design. For example, a channeling may be formed around a perimeter of the opening. A string or strip of plastic may be positioned within the channeling. One or more slits may be formed in the channeling to expose the string/plastic strip. A person would then pull on the string/plastic strip, through the slits in the channeling, thereby gathering and closing the opening. The string/plastic strip may then be tied together to prevent the mouth of the garbage bag from opening.

While the above bag closure systems do work, they have one major drawback. Current bag closure systems do not prevent odors from within the garbage bag from emanating out. Thus, when certain items, such as fish, chicken, baby diapers, and the like, may be placed with the garbage bag, the smell from these items emanate out. This is especially problematic when multiple garbage bags may be placed in large garbage receptacles.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method that overcomes the above.

SUMMARY

A garbage bag has a bag having an open top area. A plurality of ring members is formed in an interior of the bag.

A garbage bag has a bag having a pair of vertical seals, a horizontal seal formed on a bottom area of the bag. The bag has an open top area. A plurality of ring members is formed in an interior of the bag. An enclosure device is attached to the open top area of the bag to form an approximately air tight seal over the open top area.

A garbage bag has a bag having a pair of vertical seals, a horizontal seal formed on a bottom area of the bag, the bag having an open top area. Handles are formed on an exterior surface of the bag. A plurality of ring members is formed in an interior of the bag. An enclosure device is attached to the open top area of the bag to form an approximately air tight seal over the open top area. The enclosure device comprises a cover member attached to the open top area of the garbage bag and a sealing device to secure the cover member to the bag and to form the approximate air tight seal.

The features, functions, and advantages may be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trash bag of the present invention positioned in a receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a side exterior view of the trash bag of the present invention, the other side being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side interior view of the trash bag of the present invention with the cover removed, the other side being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front exterior view of the trash bag of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front interior view of the trash bag of the present invention with the cover removed;

FIG. 6 is a rear exterior view of the trash bag of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a rear interior view of the trash bag of the present invention with the cover removed;

FIG. 8 is a magnified view of the cover and zipper assembly used in the garbage bag of the present invention;

FIG. 9 a magnified view of the cover and adhesive tape used in the garbage bag of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 a magnified view of the cover and adhesive tape used in the garbage bag of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, a garbage bag 10 is shown. The garbage bag 10 is configured to prevent odors from the contents stored within the garbage bag 10 from emanating out of the garbage bag 10. The garbage bag 10 is further configured to allow the garbage bag 10 to conform to the shape of the receptacle to which the garbage bag 10 is inserted. This prevents the garbage bag 10 from collapsing inward thereby allowing one to easily place contents within the garbage bag 10. The garbage bag 10 is further configured to allow one to fully load and close the garbage bag 10 without having the contents of the garbage bag 10 falling out.

The garbage bag 10 may be designed to have two panels 12 and 14. The two panels 12 and 14 may be sealed along two vertical sides 16. The two panels 12 and 14 may also be sealed along a bottom side 18 of the two panels 12 and 14. A top side of the panels 12 and 14 generally remains unsealed thereby providing an opening/mouth 20 for access into the interior of the garbage bag 10. The panels 12 and 14 may be made from a plastic material. For example, the panels 12 and 14 may be formed a Low Density Polyethylene material (LDPE), a Linear Low Density Polyethylene material (LLDPE) or a (High Density Polyethylene material (HDPE). The panels 12 and 14 may be formed of a biodegradable material as well. The above are given as examples and should not be seen in a limiting manner. Further, it will be appreciated that other formations of the garbage bag 10 known to those skilled in the art are possible as well.

The garbage bag 10 may have one or more ring members 22. The ring members 22 may be positioned in the interior of the garbage bag 10. The ring members 22 may be imbedded within the garbage bag 10. Alternatively, the ring members 22 may be attached to the interior of the garbage bag 10.

The ring members 22 may be formed of a pliable material that is able to hold shape. For example, the ring members 22 may be formed of a flexible wire material, flexible plastic material or the like. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.

The ring members 22 may be used to help the garbage bag 10 conform to the shape of the receptacle 24 to which the garbage bag 10 is inserted. By having the garbage bag 10 conform to the shape of the receptacle 24, the garbage bag 10 is designed to not collapse inward. Thus, allowing a user to easily place contents within the garbage bag 10. In use, an individual would insert the garbage bag 10 into the receptacle 24. The user may then pres outward against the interior of the garbage bag 10 so that the ring members 22 conform to the shape of the interior of the receptacle 24. The ring members 22 will hold its shape thereby preventing the garbage bag 10 from collapsing inward.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the garbage bag 10 may have a first ring member 22A. The first ring member may be located in a top area of the garbage bag 10. The first ring member 22A may be positioned around an interior perimeter of the opening/mouth 20. The first ring member 22A may be used so that the opening/mouth 20 of the garbage bag 10 holds to and conforms to the opening in the receptacle 24. The first ring member 22A may be formed of an elastic material to better secure the garbage bag 10 around the opening of the receptacle 24.

The garbage bag 10 may have a second ring member 22B. The second ring member may be positioned around a perimeter of a middle area of the garbage bag 10 located between the opening/mouth 20 and the seal formed at the bottom side 18 of the two panels 12 and 14. The second ring member 22B may be used so that the middle area of the garbage bag 10 conforms to the shape of the receptacle 24.

The garbage bag 10 may have a third ring member 22C. The third ring member may be positioned around a perimeter of a bottom area of the garbage bag 10 near the seal formed at the bottom side 18 of the two panels 12 and 14. The third ring member 22C may be used so that the bottom area of the garbage bag 10 conforms to the shape of the bottom of the receptacle 24. It should be noted that while three ring members 22 are shown in the Figures, this is shown as one example. More or less ring members 22 may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

An enclosure device 26 may be coupled to the garbage bag 10. The enclosure device 26 may be used to seal the garbage bag 10 to prevent odors from items placed within the garbage bag from emanating out of the garbage bag 10. Thus, the enclosure device 26 may form an approximately air tight seal on the garbage bag 10.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the enclosure device 26 may be comprised of a cover member 28. A portion of the cover member 28 may be directly attached to a top rear section of the garbage bag 10. Alternatively, the entire cover member 28 may be removably attached to a top rear section of the garbage bag 10. The cover member 28 may be formed of the same and or similar material as the panels 14 and 16. Placing the cover member 28 at the top of the garbage bag 10 allows a user to completely fill the garbage bag 10. Further, since the cover member 28 is made of the same and or similar material as the garbage bag 10, the cover member 28 may slightly stretch and expand, thereby allowing the garbage bag 10 to be completely filled and or slightly over filled with garbage. In prior art garbage bags, if the garbage bag was completely filled, the closing devices would not be able to close the garbage bag without the contents of the garbage bag 10 spilling out.

One or more enforcement strips 29 may be positioned in the interior of the cover member 28. The enforcement strips 29 may be imbedded within the cover member 28. Alternatively, the enforcement strips 29 may be attached to the interior of the cover member 28. The enforcement strips 29 may be formed of a pliable material that is able to hold shape. For example, the enforcement strips 29 may be formed of a flexible wire material, flexible plastic material or the like. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The enforcement strips 29 may be sued to prevent the cover member 28 from collapsing downward into the garbage bag 10.

A sealing device 30 may be attached to the cover member 28 and to the top edge of the garbage bag 10. The sealing device 30 may be used to seal the cover member 28 to the top edge of the garbage bag 10. The sealing device 30 may provide an approximate air tight seal thereby preventing odors from emanating out of the garbage bag 10. The sealing device 30 may be a zipper 30A. The zipper 30A may have a first row of protruding teeth 32A attached to the cover member 28 and a second row of teeth 32B attached to the top edge of the garbage bag 10. The first row of protruding teeth 32A and the second row of protruding teeth 32B are positioned within a slider member 34. The zipper 30A is designed so that moving the slider member 34 in a first direction links the first row of protruding teeth 32A to the second row of protruding teeth 32B to seal the cover member 28 to the top edge of the garbage bag 10. Moving the slider member 34 in a second direction unlinks the first row of protruding teeth 32A to the second row of protruding teeth 32B to unseal the cover member 28 to the top edge of the garbage bag 10.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the sealing device 30 may be a formed of a channel 34 and a protruding rim member 36. The protruding rim member 36 may be formed around the perimeter of the cover member 28 and the channel 34 may be formed around the perimeter of the top edge of the garbage bag 10. Alternatively, the protruding rim member 36 may be formed around the perimeter of the top edge of the garbage bag 10 and the channel 34 may be formed around the perimeter of the cover member 28. In operation, the protruding rim member 36 would be inserted into the channel 34 thereby forming an approximate air tight seal.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the sealing device 30 may be a formed of an adhesive strip 38. The adhesive strip 38 may be formed around the perimeter of the cover member 28 and or around the perimeter of the top edge of the garbage bag 10. A backing 40 may be formed on the adhesive strip 38. In operation, the backing 40 may be removed from the adhesive strip 38. The cover member 28 is then pressed onto the top edge of the garbage bag 10 to seal the cover member 28 to the top edge of the garbage bag 10.

The garbage bag 10 may further have one or more handles 40. The handles 40 may be formed on side surfaces of the garbage bag 10. The handles 40 may be used to lift the garbage bag 10. The handles 40 may be formed of the same material as the garbage bag 10. The handles 40 may also be formed on an exterior surface of the cover member 28.

The garbage bag 10 having a closable cover member 28 to seal the contents within the garbage bag 10 prevent odors from emanating out of the garbage bag 10 and also protects products inside the garbage bag 10 from the elements such as rain, slow, sun, etc. The garbage bag 10 may further prevent water from collecting inside the garbage bag 10 thereby preventing mosquitoes from breeding. The garbage bag 10 may also be used in the health care industry to provide a more hygienic and healthier work area.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garbage bag comprising: a bag having an open top area; and a plurality of ring members formed in an interior of the bag.
 2. The garbage bag of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure device attached to the open top area of the bag to form an approximately air tight seal over the open top area.
 3. The garbage bag of claim 2, wherein the enclosure device comprises: a cover member attached to the open top area of the garbage bag; and a sealing device to secure the cover member to the bag and to form the approximate air tight seal.
 4. The garbage bag of claim 3, wherein the sealing device is a zipper.
 5. The garbage bag of claim 3, wherein the sealing device is an adhesive strip.
 6. The garbage bag of claim 3, wherein the sealing device is a channel and protruding rim device.
 7. The garbage bag of claim 4, wherein the zipper comprises: a first row of protruding teeth attached to the cover member; a second row of teeth attached to a top edge of the bag; a slider member to link the first row of protruding teeth to the second row of protruding teeth to seal the cover member to the top edge of the bag.
 8. The garbage bag of claim 5, wherein the adhesive strip comprises: an adhesive tape attached to one of the cover member or a top edge of the bag; and a backing attached to the adhesive tape.
 9. The garbage bag of claim 6, wherein the channel and protruding rim device comprises: a protruding rim formed on one of the cover member or a top edge of the bag; and a channel formed on one of the cover member or the top edge of the bag.
 10. The garbage bag of claim 1, further comprising handles formed on an exterior surface of the bag.
 11. A garbage bag comprising: a bag having a pair of vertical seals, a horizontal seal formed on a bottom area of the bag, the bag having an open top area; a plurality of ring members formed in an interior of the bag; and an enclosure device attached to the open top area of the bag to form an approximately air tight seal over the open top area.
 12. The garbage bag of claim 11, wherein the enclosure device comprises: a cover member attached to the open top area of the garbage bag; and a sealing device to secure the cover member to the bag and to form the approximate air tight seal.
 13. The garbage bag of claim 12, wherein the sealing device is a zipper.
 14. The garbage bag of claim 12, wherein the sealing device is an adhesive strip.
 15. The garbage bag of claim 12, wherein the sealing device is a channel and protruding rim device.
 16. The garbage bag of claim 13, wherein the zipper comprises: a first row of protruding teeth attached to the cover member; a second row of teeth attached to a top edge of the bag; a slider member to link the first row of protruding teeth to the second row of protruding teeth to seal the cover member to the top edge of the bag.
 17. The garbage bag of claim 14, wherein the adhesive strip comprises: an adhesive tape attached to one of the cover member or a top edge of the bag; and a backing attached to the adhesive tape.
 18. The garbage bag of claim 15, wherein the channel and protruding rim device comprises: a protruding rim formed on one of the cover member or a top edge of the bag; and a channel formed on one of the cover member or the top edge of the bag.
 19. The garbage bag of claim 11, further comprising handles formed on an exterior surface of the bag.
 20. A garbage bag comprising: a bag having a pair of vertical seals, a horizontal seal formed on a bottom area of the bag, the bag having an open top area; handles formed on an exterior surface of the bag; a plurality of ring members formed in an interior of the bag; an enclosure device attached to the open top area of the bag to form an approximately air tight seal over the open top area, wherein the enclosure device comprises: a cover member attached to the open top area of the garbage bag; and a sealing device to secure the cover member to the bag and to form the approximate air tight seal. 